Reproducible placement of ABI Electrodes

US10369352B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH · AT

Inventors

• Peter Grasso · Palmanova, IT
• Stefan Brill · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 3, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 6, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 2, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36038
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is described for determining an optimal placement location for an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) electrode array. A cochlear implant (CI) electrode array is inserted into a patient cochlea, and the ABI electrode array is initially placed at an initial placement location on a patient brainstem. The optimal placement location for the ABI electrode array is then determined by, for multiple electrode contacts on the ABI electrode array: i. selecting a specific electrode contact, ii. delivering a stimulation signal to the selected electrode contact, iii. sensing an efferent nerve signal from the stimulation signal using the electrode contacts of the CI electrode array, and iv. determining a maximum response location in the patient cochlea where a largest efferent nerve signal is sensed. The ABI electrode array is then repositioned to the optimal placement location.